HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Lady Eagles' chances fade, 36-30

Garden City pulls away from Sterling City

STERLING CITY — In a game where shots came at a premium, the Sterling City girls basketball team was unable to make a pair of free throws and a trio of three-point opportunities toward the end of a District 14-1A Division II game on Tuesday.

And because of those fourth-quarter misses, the upset-minded Lady Eagles were defeated 36-30 by No. 8 Garden City in the District 14-1A opener for both squads at the Sterling City gym.

"We fought hard and had a lot of chances in the first half to go into halftime with a lead," Sterling City head coach Aaron Marks said. "I credit Garden City's defense for keeping it that close."

Sterling City (7-6 overall, 0-1 district) kept things interesting for the first two quarters, holding the Lady Kats to single-digit point totals with some aggressive, physical defense.

Lady Eagles players were not shy about diving onto the floor for a loose ball or fighting through a crowd of teammates and opponents for a rebound.

That effort helped Sterling City keep the game close as it trailed 10-9 at halftime.

"We knew Garden City wanted it, but so did we," Sterling City senior Trisha Horwood said. "Coach Marks told us at halftime that we were going to have to go out and fight for this one. And we fought."

The Lady Kats (11-3, 1-0) gave the Lady Eagles their best shot in the second half by taking a 25-19 lead at the end of the third quarter.

But the combined efforts of Horwood and fellow senior Savannah Jones, who scored 19 second-half points, kept the Lady Eagles within striking distance until the end.

Horwood, who sustained a torn ACL in Sterling City's first practice, scored all 10 of her points in the second half. Horwood knocked down her second of two 3-pointers to cut Garden City's lead to 31-30 with 2:21 remaining.

Garden City would answer less than a minute later. Hannah Halfmann, who finished with a team-high 13 points, drained a 3-pointer with 1:51 to play to give the Lady Kats a 34-30 lead.

"We swung the ball around and Hannah found an open spot in the defense," Garden City first-year head coach Chris Sumrall said. "She stepped up and made a big shot when we needed it."

Marks was visibly upset when recalling the open 3-pointer.

"In a close game like that, I preach that one possession can win it or lose it," Marks said. "It just didn't come out our way."

Sterling City would not record a point after Halfmann's 3-pointer.

"It was at the tip of our fingers, right at our grasp and they pulled it out," Horwood said. "I think it's going to help us because we know we can compete with them. We'll be ready for them next time."

The next chance for redemption will be Jan. 15 at Garden City, which is seven district games away.

Until then, Marks said his squad will set its sights on a 6:30 p.m. Friday home contest against Veribest.

"We're hoping to get some confidence going into the Christmas break," Marks said.